The RSPCA has appealed for information after a pet cat was found injured in a garden in a village near Reading after apparently being shot with an airgun.
Rosie was seen by her owner at around breakfast time on 16 August appearing to be in good health.
But just a few hours later, the cat returned to her home in Manor Road, Whitchurch-on-Thames, staggering in the back garden.
Her concerned owner took her straight to an emergency vet, where X-rays revealed a pellet lodged in her neck.
The pellet was removed and Rosie survived the incident. She is now recovering at home but will require further veterinary treatment.
RSPCA inspector Kirsten Ormerod said the incident had been “a terrifying ordeal” for both Rosie and her owner.
“She had been seen earlier in the morning, completely well, so it was such a shock for her owner when she returned home just a few hours later having sustained such awful injuries,” she said.
“Thankfully, the pellet was able to be removed and Rosie survived, but she will need ongoing veterinary treatment as she recovers.”
The RSPCA believes the shooting may have happened close to Rosie’s home because she does not usually roam far.
The charity is now asking residents in Whitchurch-on-Thames who may have witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.
It is also appealing for anyone with CCTV or doorbell footage from the area to check their recordings.
“We would urge anyone in the local area who may have seen something, or who may have CCTV or doorbell footage, to contact us so we can find out what happened,” Ms Ormerod said.
Anyone with first-hand information that could assist the RSPCA’s enquiries is asked to contact its Inspectorate Appeal Line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident 01884707.
RSPCA reports rise in summer cruelty calls
The appeal comes as the RSPCA warns of a significant rise in reports of animal cruelty during the summer months.
Figures released by the charity show it received 6,322 cruelty calls during June, July and August last year.
That compares with 3,852 calls during the same three months in 2021 – an increase of 64%.
The RSPCA said the figures equated to roughly one call every 10 minutes while its emergency line was open.
The charity has released the figures as part of its Cruelty Rescues fundraising campaign, which coincides with what it describes as its busiest period for animal cruelty reports.
For Rosie, the focus now is on her recovery, while the RSPCA continues to try to establish how she came to be shot.
The charity is urging anyone in the Whitchurch-on-Thames area who may have information to get in touch.
